Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog

Local Rocker Tim "Ripper" Owens to Close his Akron Club in September

As of Sept. 3, Northeast Ohio will lose one of its music venues. Local rocker Tim "Ripper" Owens has announced he’ll close his Akron-based restaurant/rock club, Tim Owens' Traveler's Tavern.

Last year, Owens, famous for subbing for Judas Priest singer Rob Halford when the British metal act toured and recorded without Halford, transformed the former Rock House for Bar Rescue, a Spike TV reality show. But apparently the makeover wasn’t enough to keep the joint afloat.

It comes with a heavy heart and a huge amount of considering many options, but Tim and I (Micah Posten) have decided to close our venue. Words cannot express the gratitude we have for everyone who came out and supported the restaurant and the local music scene. A lot of work went into making this place great, lots of blood sweat and tears (literally) to bring Akron a place it could be proud of. I believe we were successful at that, but at this time Tim and I are being pulled away from that focus to concentrate on our main jobs. Tim is touring more and more and I am needed at my landscape company. Both of these are very positive for Tim and I but creates a negative for the bar/restaurant. We have both agreed to sell to another person who will be more focused on creating a cool restaurant and possibly keeping the stage rocking a couple times a month. I personally will be contacting any acts we have booked to help find other venues for them to perform. Tim and I are very sorry for the inconvenience and hope everyone is understanding. Our last day for food will be September 2nd (huge party) , our last live music show will be September 3rd . LETS BLOW IT OUT!

And Owens had this to say:

Yes, all good things must come to an end!!! We hate to do this but like Micah said our main careers have just gotten way to busy ( Which is a good thing ) and that just makes it too hard on us and the business!! The Business was good, the staff was amazing, the bands rocked and the location couldn't of been better, So stop saying it wasn't and read our posts...Lets hope whoever buys it keeps, keeps the music, the great food and they have the time to put into it!!
( Even as I type this I am sitting in Seattle airport for business ). I thank you all for all the support!!